Longitudinal travelling wave

 

 


Compare compressions/rarefactions in a longitudinal travelling wave with crests/troughs in a transverse travelling wave

 
Crests/troughs in a transverse travelling wave
Compressions/rarefactions in a longitudinal travelling wave
(1) Separation
The separation between two adjacent crests or troughs is the wavelength.
The separation between two adjacent compressions or rarefactions is the wavelength.
(2) Displacement from equilibrium position
The greatest

Zero

(3) Speed

Zero

The greatest

The displacements at a certain instant along a longitudinal travelling wave:


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